MCC Date Tree Irrigation and Intensification Activity

Morocco - Fruit Tree Productivity Project - Date Tree Irrigation and Intensification Activity: This Activity will support the upgrading of existing small-scale irrigation infrastructure and the intensification and rehabilitation of existing date tree cultivation in irrigated oasis perimeters (approximately 16,000 ha within perimeters covering 23,000 ha).

The objective is to increase the efficiency of water use and other crop practices to enhance the yield and profitability of date production in the target areas.

Specifically, MCC Funding will support: (i) irrigation infrastructure improvements of up to 12 irrigation schemes; (ii) studies and remedial works agreed to by the Parties to control seepage from the saddle dam portion of the Hassan Addakhil Dam on the Ziz River; (iii) rehabilitation of date trees, including the pruning, cleaning, and fertilizing of approximately 222,500 existing trees; (iv) provision and transplanting of date plants, including approximately 282,500 disease-free in-vitro date plants and 60,000 selected offshoots from existing trees; (v) technical and training assistance for producers, their families, and producer associations on improved crop husbandry techniques and the creation, training and advisory support of farmer cooperatives in management, marketing, accounting, organization and access to financial services; (vi) assistance for existing AUEAs in operations, management and maintenance of irrigation water distribution systems; and (vii) advisory support and development of business plans for date grading, packing and cold storage facilities at secondary cooperatives.